Why: Join us as we celebrate this month’s theme of “Bike Lanes & Sustainable City Planning in SLO”, with keynote speaker Jan Marx, Mayor of San Luis Obispo.
This event is open to all ages but it’s 21+ to drink (obviously). There will be beer, coffee, and food available for purchase. Suggested donation is $5 for adults and $3 for students (all proceeds goes towards the Coalition). Bring your friends!
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What do you do to pay the bills? I have been working as a Community and Environmental Planner here in San Luis Obispo for about 10 years, holding positions varying from working for the City of SLO’s Community Development Department to working for Rideshare as the Bicycle Programs Coordinator. Most recently I worked for a private planning firm, PMC, primarily assisting local governments as they address Climate Change. Right now I am taking some time off to be a full-time mom to my twin boys.
What kind of riding do you do? How often? Although I do an occasional spandex ride through wine country, and have done several century rides with my dad, most of my riding is around town or on various paths with the boys in tow. At only 17 months they are giddy when they see the bike helmets come out!
What do you think the most important thing the Coalition has done in SLO County? Although it is hard to choose just one, as a planner I would have to say that one of the Coalition’s most important roles is being an organizing force for cyclists to help us be more visible in this County. The Coalition is constantly reminding both government agencies as well as regular citizens about the needs and rights of cyclists.
What advice do you have to encourage others to get on their bicycles? Just try it and you’ll be amazed at how easy and fun it is. As a mother with twin toddlers I feel like I am proof that it is doable!
What’s your favorite thing about bicycles? Bikes are fun, and offer you a much more up close and personal experience with the world each time you are out rather than being trapped in a car. And I love the sense of community – each time you are out on a bike you are virtually guaranteed a smile or wave from another cyclist – when is the last time that happened to you in a car?
Describe your favorite bicycle memory… Everyday when I feel the wind in my face as I cruise down the hill from my house, and then again with the great view from the top of the Jennifer Street Bridge. It’s a great reward with on my way back over the hill.
If you had to name your favorite bicycle, what would you name it? My bikes name is Sheila, and she never lets me down.
Anything else you want to share? Biking here in SLO County is so easy and a true joy. I feel so fortunate to live in a community where my family can be outside together enjoying this beautiful place and leading a healthy lifestyle. And I love that you see people of all ages, fitness levels and all distinctions imaginable enjoying cycling!
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We’re always looking to share useful bike hacks with people, do you have one that you’re proud of? Send it our way and we can share it with the masses (giving you credit for your genius, obviously)!
Email leslie@slobikelane.org for any hacks you want to share.
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Bicycle and Pedestrian Funding under Attack AGAIN, Contact your Senators to Save Transportation Enhancements Funding
It’s happening again… Just one month ago, Sen. Coburn (R-OK) failed in his efforts to strip funding for Transportation Enhancements from the six-month transportation extension.
Now, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) is taking the lead to destroy Transportation Enhancements. On November 1, the Senate will finalize the transportation appropriations bill. Sen. Paul has proposed an amendment to redirect all funding for Transportation Enhancements to bridge repair.
Send an email to your Senators now to ask them to vote against the Paul amendment that would eliminate Transportation Enhancements. We agree on the need to keep our bridges safe, but the lives of pedestrians and cyclists are important too.
If Sen. Paul’s amendment succeeds, it would eliminate $700 million in federal funding in 2012 that is used to construct sidewalks, bike lanes, bike paths, trails and other infrastructure that makes our roads safer for bicyclists and pedestrians. Even if every penny of these funds is actually diverted to bridge repairs, Senator Paul’s plan will still take 80 years to fix the backlog of bridge repairs we have today. Keep in mind that:
The TE program represents less than two percent of federal transportation fund. These projects help alleviate traffic congestion, improve safety, get people active, and create more jobs per dollar than highway-only projects.
Last year, states gave more than $530 million dollars of bridge repair money back to the federal government last year.
Thirteen people died when the Minneapolis bridge collapsed in 2007: since then, close to 20,000 pedestrians and 2,800 cyclists have died on our nation’s highways, largely as a result of poor highway design and a lack of safe non-motorized infrastructure – exactly what TE program was created to fix.
If the Paul amendment succeeds, it will make it much more challenging to sustain funding for TE, Safe Routes to School, and Recreational Trails in the long-term transportation bill that the Environment and Public Works Committee starts debating just 8 days later on November 9.
We must turn back any amendment to strip Transportation Enhancements. Last month, more than 75,000 messages were sent to Senators to ask them to stand strong for TE. That was an amazing turnout, but we must do better this time. Every time someone in Congress attacks bicycling and walking, we must push back even stronger. And, we will keep doing it until bicycle and pedestrian funding is protected.
This is the third time in a month that a few Senators have targeted Transportation Enhancements, using a different angle each time. It is a waste of the Senate’s time and taxpayer dollars to focus on this small and valuable program when we are in dire need of real and viable solutions to fix our failing transportation system.
And then forward this message to five others who care about the safety of people walking and bicycling on our streets. Thanks for your help, and for passing this along.
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What do you do to pay the bills? I own a consulting practice specializing in organizational development and innovation and I teach English at Righetti High School in Santa Maria.
What kind of riding do you do? How often? Mostly road, some fire roads/trails, 1-2 times a week (not often enough!)
What do you think the most important thing the Coalition has done in SLO County? By providing information, rider resources and advocacy, the Coalition has put a human/organizational face on the “nachas” and goodwill associated with making our community safe to enjoy the great outdoors and get from place to place under our own power, without spending $4/gallon.
What advice do you have to encourage others to get on their bicycles?
Add up the money you spent on gas last month.
Bicycling not only gets you where you want to go, it improves you and inspires the people around you.
It’s easy to find drivers who’d rather be anywhere but behind the steering wheel. See if you can find a bicyclist– on a custom carbon number, a beach cruiser, a trike or a forty-pound rig with a trailer full of worldly possessions– who’d rather NOT be in the saddle.
What’s your favorite thing about bicycles? They are simple, they are elegant, they are fun, they are associated in my mind with youth, health and freedom, and they spawned the ultimate ease-of-use cliche: “It’s like riding a bike.”
Describe your favorite bicycle memory: My first ride, during which I wobbled, pedaled furiously, wobbled some more, and ultimately crashed my Schwinn into Grandma Avis’ rose bushes about sixty feet from where I started.
If you had to name your favorite bicycle, what would you name it? Land shark
Anything else you want to share? ALLEZ ALLEZ ALLEZ!
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At first glance Young-Deok Seo’s huge sculptures look like beautiful faces and busts, but after a closer look, they’re all made of bike chains! Check out more on artist Young-Deok Seo’s blog.
This event is open to all ages but it’s 21+ to drink (obviously). There will be beer, coffee, and food available for purchase. Suggested donation is $5 for adults and $3 for students (all proceeds goes towards the Coalition). Bring your friends!
It’s happening again… Just one month ago, Sen. Coburn (R-OK) failed in his efforts to strip funding for Transportation Enhancements from the six-month transportation extension.
